Malorie Blackman’s ‘Noughts & Crosses’ – a Sabrina Mahfouz adaptation

I’m pleased to tell you that I had the opportunity to attend and review Sabrina Mahfouz’s adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s ‘Noughts & Crosses’ at Derby Theatre .  ‘Noughts & Crosses’ was a hugely successful young adult saga that Malorie Blackman wrote back in 2001.  Despite being written nearly 20 years ago the themes of racism and classism that ‘Noughts & Crosses’ explores are still painfully relevant today.

Sephy and Callum – forbidden lovers

The story centres on the two main characters, Sephy and Callum, who live in a world where Noughts (white people) and Crosses (black people) are segregated with Crosses exerting social, political and economical dominance over Noughts.  Sephy, a Cross and Callum, a Nought, are in love but due to political and social upheaval cannot be together.

We’re introduced to Sephy’s parents who are well-to-do, well-spoken and well-dressed. Her mother has a drinking problem and it’s not clear what, if anything, that she does for a living. Her father is a prominent politician who is frequently absent from the family home.

Callum’s Nought Family

Callum, as a Nought, does not have the privileges he would normally have in this fictional world.  His mother works for the Crosses as a maid (if I’m honest, from the production alone, this wasn’t obvious) and it’s clear the family is of meagre means.  It is huge news that he will be allowed to attend a Cross school which means access to a better education and hopefully, a better future.  But integration comes with its challenges.  Considering that race segregation ended in schools only in the late 1950s in the United States and more shockingly, the late 1990s in South Africa, ‘Noughts & Crosses’ is a reflection of a society rooted in truth rather than myth.

Heather Agyepong and Billy Harris play Sephy and Callum, their performances were impressive.  The cast as a whole did a wonderful job bringing ‘Noughts and Crosses’ to life.  I especially enjoyed Kimisha Lewis’ rendition of legal counsel.  I’d happily have her represent me.  Daniel Copeland was great as Callum’s dad, I thought he was well cast.  My only minor gripe was the adult actors briefly portraying school children.  I think the production would have benefited from more props to bring more realism to the performance but the actors did an incredible job all the same.  The use of music, television screens and voice-overs served the production well.

Minerva and Sephy

One of my favourite scenes was set in the mall.  Without giving too much away, this was well-executed and had the audience’s rapt attention.  Despite the heavy subject matter, Sabrina Mahfouz managed to inject some humour into the drama which was well received.

Taunting Sephy

Scenes that stood out for me was Callum’s first day in a Cross (black) school.  Cross students pull his hair and rub his skin.  Meggie (Callum’s mother) needs a plaster and comments that it doesn’t match her skin tone.  I adored these allusions to racial microaggressions, something people of colour experience every day.

Seeing ‘Noughts & Crosses’ on the stage reminded me of why I loved this book so much. Now more than ever, the message it sends, one of equality and respect for all people needs to be heard and fought for.  ‘Noughts & Crosses’ invites the audience to question the status quo and to check their privilege.  The purpose of art is to encourage critical thinking and this adaptation achieves this in spades.

‘Noughts & Crosses’ will be at the Derby Theatre until the 16th February 2019 before it goes on tour.

Have you read ‘Noughts & Crosses’?  Will you be seeing it on the stage?

Further reading: What Fatima Did at Derby Theatre

Love blackpistachio x